If anyone knows Melissa…

Day 189 – A Year in the Bible – Proverbs 13-15

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PROVERBS 13 – THE SOUL OF THE DILIGENT SHALL BE MADE FAT

Be Diligent
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. – Proverbs 13:4

Everyone has desires but not everyone is diligent. The difference is that some have diligence to get up and get things done and others are lazy so they end up having nothing.

Fill me with Your diligence today, Father that I may see my desires, but even more-so Your desires come forth. I ask this in Jesus Name. Amen!!!

Diligent – Characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort.

Help Me Fear and Obey Your Word
Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. – Proverbs 13:13

He That Spareth His Rod
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. – Proverbs 13:24

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PROVERBS 14 – A WISE MAN FEARETH AND DEPARTETH FROM EVIL

Go from the Presence of the Foolish
Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. – Proverbs 14:7

Foolish – having or showing a lack of good sense, judgment, or discretion; absurd, ridiculous; loss of composure, ill-considered or unwise; lacking forethought or caution; trifling, insignificant

The Heart Knoweth
The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy. – Proverbs 14:10

Even in Laughter the Heart is Sorrowful
Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; And the end of that mirth is heaviness. – Proverbs‬ ‭14:13‬ ‭

Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief. – Proverbs‬ ‭14:13‬ ‭AMP

A Wise Man Feareth
A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: But the fool rageth, and is confident. – Proverbs‬ ‭14:16‬

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PROVERBS 15 – THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE INSTRUCTION OF WISDOM

The Heart of the Righteous Studieth to Answer
He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; But he that hateth gifts shall live. The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. – Proverbs‬ ‭15:27-28

Before Honour is Humility
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. – Proverbs 15:33

Day 188 – A Year in the Bible – Proverbs 10-12

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PROVERBS 10 – THE LIPS OF THE RIGHTEOUS FEED MANY

Distressed
He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall. – Proverbs 10:10

My dad always taught me not to trust anyone who winks. He must have read this verse because in my opinion, the message of this verse is that one who winks does not take wickedness and foolishness seriously.

Had the priests in Leviticus not taken leprosy seriously and had they winked at the uncleanliness of even one person, that uncleanliness would have spread until it couldn’t be contained.

There is no room to ignore (or wink at) any sin or wickedness. There is no room to wink at (or ignore) the person committing that sin and wickedness. Yes, we are to love the sinner and hate the sin, but we need to be very careful in our “loving” them, that we do not give a wink to their sin in any way.

People need to know that their sin is of the enemy, and it is not WHO they are.  God created them to live for Him and believe in His Son and follow Jesus by the power of the Holy Ghost.

But, the enemy comes to drag them away to the life of sin. The person in front of you is precious to God, but the sin is not. He doesn’t wish that any should perish, so He won’t, and we shouldn’t ignore the sin and uncleanliness that festers. If we do, it can be as tragic as it would have been for the children of Israel.

If someone calls out sin in your life, don’t despise it. It might not feel wonderful at the moment, but they didn’t wink at your sin, which is the most loving thing they can do. To not call it out will cause eternal distress for the person as opposed to the temporary distress of one dealing with their sin. One glorious day, someone called out my sin, and I often think where would I be, had they not had the courage to confront me!!!

Give us boldness and great courage, God, to take the authority given to us by Your Son Jesus to confront the evil all around us. In Jesus Name, fill us with Your FIRE to work today for You and all for Your Glory. Amen!!!

He That Hideth Hatred
He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. – Proverbs 10:18

So often, I have had offense and anger toward someone and think the right thing to do is “fake it till I make it.” This verse tells me that approach is foolish. I don’t need to fake anything because faking is a lie. I need to deal with the hatred, the anger – what is according to scripture a spirit of murder.

Lips that Feed Many
The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom. – Proverbs 10:21

I want to feed many. Help me, God.

Every Secret of Every Heart
If we have forgotten the Name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. – Psalms 44:20-21

No use trying to hide our impurities. The Father knoweth every secret of every heart.

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PROVERBS 11 – THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL FLOURISH AS A BRANCH

Abomination, Shame, Destruction
A false balance is abomination to the LORD: But a just weight is his delight. When pride cometh, then cometh shame: But with the lowly is wisdom. The integrity of the upright shall guide them: But the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. – Proverbs 11:1-3

We have all been in places where we have let pride take over, and shortly after that, we deal with the shame of having allowed our pride to take over. Wasn’t that what Peter set himself up for as well? His (prideful) words led to great shame and could have led to his destruction, but God…

His Delight
They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. – Proverbs 11:20

The Seed of the Righteous Shall Be Delivered
Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. – Proverbs‬ ‭11:21

If You Live Righteously, You Shall Flourish
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. – Proverbs 11:28

Another promise. IF you live righteously, you will flourish.

Righteous – to act in accord with divine or moral law; free from guilt or sin
Flourish – to achieve success, prosper; grow luxuriantly, thrive

He said IF…
What great promises are given to us today in these passages!!! IF you keep His commands – you will live and possess the land, you will find Him, He will not forsake you or destroy you or forget the covenant He made to you, things will go well with you, and He will prolong your days on earth, and your children’s days. You will be one with a good foundation, and you will flourish

If you look at what He asks of you next to what He promises, that should make obedience a joy. 

He said IF…

Thank You, God. Thank You for Your precious promises. Please help me to be obedient to Your Word and Your Will today knowing that every promise and every condition for that promises is for my good and Your Glory. In Jesus Name I ask this. Amen! Amen!

A Tree of Life
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. – Proverbs 11:30

We must die to self to bear fruit that we might then plant a seed that would win a soul. The Bible uses the image of seeds and fruit for a reason. The seed is the Word, and it is planted and grows in our lives. If it is nurtured and watered, and pruned when necessary, it grows until it bears fruit. Fruit is ripe in its season, but it has to die for the seeds it bears to be planted again and bear more fruit. We must die to our desires and yield to death that we may have seeds gathered and planted that they might be harvested in the coming days. The harvest is coming from a tree of life. He that winneth souls is wise but before there is a tree of life there is a death.

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PROVERBS 12 – IN THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IS LIFE

Learn to Love Reproof
Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. – Proverbs 12:1

Reproof – Critique or correction, especially gentle; disapproval

Brutish – carnal; showing little intelligence or sensibility

Root of the Righteous
A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.  – Proverbs 12:3

The root of righteousness is firm! It is a sure foundation that holds you steady in the place God has placed you. This foundation is made strong by God’s Word, prayer, and praise, and worship.

Be Kind to Your Animals
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. – Proverbs 12:10

This verse shows how God feels about the animals He created. He said to regard the life of your animals.

Regard – Protective interest, care, attention, and consideration

Listen to Godly Counsel
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. – Proverbs 12:15

Tongue of the Wise is Health
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. – Proverbs 12:18

A Path Where There is No Death
In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death. – Proverbs 12:28

Day 187 – A Year in the Bible – Proverbs 7-9

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PROVERBS 7 – KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS AND LIVE

Keep My Law as the Apple of Thine Eye
My son, keep my words, And lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; And my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, Write them upon the table of thine heart. – Proverbs 7:1-3

Treasure, honor and share His commands. Keep them. Bind them into everything you do. Love His commandments always. They are the “apple of my eye,” and I have written them on my heart.

Sin promises much but delivers only death
With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. – Proverbs 7:21-23

Hearken Unto Him; Attend to His Words
Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. – Proverbs 7:24-25

Over and over in Proverbs, we are told to hearken unto the voice of God and His Word.

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PROVERBS 8 – ALL THE THINGS THAT MAY BE DESIRED ARE NOT TO BE COMPARED TO WISDOM

Wisdom is Better than Rubies
For my mouth shall speak truth; And wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; There is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, And right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver; And knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; And all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. – Proverbs 8:7-11

I can desire many things – houses, land, relationships, riches, gifts, easy life, peace. But the best thing I can ever desire is WISDOM. The Word tells me here that nothing compares to it.

I Am Wisdom
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom:
I am understanding;
I have strength.
By me kings reign,
and princes decree justice.
By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

I love them that love me;
and those that seek me early shall find me.

Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold;
and my revenue than choice silver.

I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance;
and I will fill their treasures.

The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
When there were no depths, I was brought forth;
when there were no fountains abounding with water.
Before the mountains were settled,
before the hills was I brought forth:
While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. 
When he prepared the heavens, I was there:
when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:

– Proverbs 8:14-27

The Scriptures tell us that of all the things we can seek, wisdom is best. Seek wisdom. If we seek her, she will be found. I made the passage above into a list that looks like a poem, because as I read it, that is how I saw it. A list of all Wisdom is. 

That reminds me of the passage in James about wisdom.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. – James 1:5

Whoso Findeth Me Findeth Life
Hear instruction, and be wise, And refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, And shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: All they that hate me love death. – Proverbs 8:33-36

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PROVERBS 9 – KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY IS UNDERSTANDING

The Lord’s Way is the Way of Understanding
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. – Proverbs 9:6

The enemy’s way is foolish. Forsake him. The way of the Lord is the way of understanding. Follow God’s way, and you will live.

Forsake – to quit or leave entirely; abandon; desert
Follow – to come after in sequence; to go or come after; to conform to, comply with, or act in accordance with; obey; to imitate or copy, to move forward

The Beginning of Wisdom
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. – Proverbs 9:10

 Wise 
If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it. – Proverbs 9:12

I am reminded that If I choose to live wisely, it is going to benefit me. If I decide to live foolishly, I will have to deal with the consequences of my decisions. My decisions do not change God, but they change the path I take in life and the rewards or consequences I reap.

I can choose to live a joyful life that honors God or a miserable life that takes me nowhere.

I can take the impurities that God has revealed in the verses from Psalm and foolishly deny they apply to me and reap the consequences. I can deal with them, repent and surrender to the Father’s correction reap the benefits of living in wisdom.

Foolishness Leads to Hell
A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, To call passengers who go right on their ways: Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell. – Proverbs 9:13-18

Folly – the state or quality of being foolish; lack of understanding or sense; a costly and foolish undertaking. Unwise investment

Foolish – resulting from or showing a lack of sense; ill-considered; unwise

Oh Lord, Guard us against being foolish and making decisions that are foolish or lead us to folly. You have warned us that folly and foolishness lead to death and hell. Please help us, Father!

Day 186 – A Year in the Bible – Proverbs 4-6

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PROVERBS 4 – FORSAKE YE NOT MY LAW

Keep My Commandments
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, Forsake ye not my law. For I was my father’s son, Tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: Keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: Forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: Love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: And with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: She shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: A crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. – Proverbs 4:1-9

Receive My Sayings
Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; And the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; And when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: Keep her; for she is thy life. Enter not into the path of the wicked, And go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, Turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; And their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: They know not at what they stumble. – Proverbs 4:10-18

Attend to My Words
My son, attend to my words; Incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, And health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, And perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, And let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, And let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: Remove thy foot from evil. – Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭19‬-‭27‬ ‭

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PROVERBS 5 – DRINK WATERS OUT OF THINE OWN CISTERN

Lest Thou Give Thine Honour Unto Others
My son, attend unto my wisdom, And bow thine ear to my understanding: That thou mayest regard discretion, And that thy lips may keep knowledge. For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, And her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a twoedged sword. Her feet go down to death; Her steps take hold on hell. Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, Her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them. Hear me now therefore, O ye children, And depart not from the words of my mouth. Remove thy way far from her, And come not nigh the door of her house: Lest thou give thine honour unto others, And thy years unto the cruel: Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; And thy labours be in the house of a stranger; And thou mourn at the last, When thy flesh and thy body are consumed, And say, How have I hated instruction, And my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! I was almost in all evil In the midst of the congregation and assembly. Drink waters out of thine own cistern, And running waters out of thine own well. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, And rivers of waters in the streets. Let them be only thine own, And not strangers’ with thee. Let thy fountain be blessed: And rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; Let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; And be thou ravished always with her love. And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, And embrace the bosom of a stranger? For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, And he pondereth all his goings. His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, And he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. He shall die without instruction; And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray. – Proverbs‬ ‭5‬:‭1-‭23‬ ‭

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PROVERBS 6 – G0 TO THE ANT, CONSIDER HER WAYS, AND BE WISE

Thou Art Snared with the Words of Thy Mouth
My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, If thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, Thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, When thou art come into the hand of thy friend; Go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. Give not sleep to thine eyes, Nor slumber to thine eyelids. Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, And as a bird from the hand of the fowler. – Proverbs 6:1-5

How Long Wilt Thou Sleep, O Sluggard
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; Consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, Overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, And gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, And thy want as an armed man. – Proverbs 6:6-11

A Wicked Man Soweth Discord
A naughty person, a wicked man, Walketh with a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, He teacheth with his fingers; Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; He soweth discord. Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; Suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. – Proverbs‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬-‭15‬ ‭

Seven Things Doth the LORD Hate
These six things doth the LORD hate: Yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, Feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren. – Proverbs‬ ‭6‬:‭16‬-‭19‬ ‭

The Commandment is a Lamp and the Law is Light
My son, keep thy father’s commandment, And forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, And tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; When thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; And when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; And reproofs of instruction are the way of life: – Proverbs‬ ‭6‬:‭20‬-‭23‬ ‭

The Adulteress Will Hunt for the Precious Life
To keep thee from the evil woman, From the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; Neither let her take thee with her eyelids. For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: And the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. Can a man take fire in his bosom, And his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, And his feet not be burned? – Proverbs‬ ‭6‬:‭24‬-‭28‬ ‭

So He that Goeth in to His Neighbour’s Wife
So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; Whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent. Men do not despise a thief, if he steal To satisfy his soul when he is hungry; But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; He shall give all the substance of his house. But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: He that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; And his reproach shall not be wiped away. For jealousy is the rage of a man: Therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will not regard any ransom; Neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts. – Proverbs‬ ‭6‬:‭29‬-‭35‬ ‭

Day 185 – A Year in the Bible – Proverbs 1-3

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PROVERBS 1 – TO KNOW WISDOM AND INSTRUCTION

Instruction of Wisdom, Justice, Judgments, Equity
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; To perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; And a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; The words of the wise, and their dark sayings. – Proverbs 1:1-6

The Beginning of Knowledge
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction – Proverbs‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭

Hear the Instruction of Thy Father, Forsake Not the Law of Thy Mother
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, And chains about thy neck. – Proverbs‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭

If Sinners Entice Thee, Consent Thou Not
My son, if sinners entice thee, Consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, Let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; And whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, We shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; Let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; Refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, And make haste to shed blood. – Proverbs‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬-‭16‬ ‭

The Ways of Every One that is Greedy of Gain
Surely in vain the net is spread In the sight of any bird. And they lay wait for their own blood; They lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; Which taketh away the life of the owners thereof. – Proverbs‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭

I Will Make Known My Words Unto You
Wisdom crieth without; She uttereth her voice in the streets: She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: In the city she uttereth her words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: Behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, And would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; – Proverbs‬ ‭1‬:‭20‬-‭26‬ ‭

They Shall Not Find Me for They Hated Knowledge
When your fear cometh as desolation, And your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; When distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; They shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, And did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: They despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, And be filled with their own devices. – Proverbs‬ ‭1‬:‭27‬-‭31‬ ‭

The Prosperity of Fools Shall Destroy Them
For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, And the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, And shall be quiet from fear of evil. – Proverbs‬ ‭1‬:‭32‬-‭33‬ ‭

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PROVERBS 2 – IF THOU WILT RECEIVE MY WORDS

The LORD Giveth Wisdom
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, And hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, And apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, And liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, And searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, And preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, And equity; yea, every good path. – Proverbs‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭9‬ ‭

Discretion Shall Preserve Thee
When wisdom entereth into thine heart, And knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, Understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, From the man that speaketh froward things; Who leave the paths of uprightness, To walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, And delight in the frowardness of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, And they froward in their paths: To deliver thee from the strange woman, Even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, And forgetteth the covenant of her God. For her house inclineth unto death, And her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, Neither take they hold of the paths of life. That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, And keep the paths of the righteous. For the upright shall dwell in the land, And the perfect shall remain in it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, And the transgressors shall be rooted out of it. – Proverbs‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬-‭22‬ ‭

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PROVERBS 3 – FORGET NO MY LAW

Let Thine Heart Keep My Commandments
My son, forget not my law; But let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, And peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: Bind them about thy neck; Write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding In the sight of God and man. – Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭4‬

In All Thy Ways Acknowledge Him
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths. – Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭

Be Not Wise in Thine Own EyesBe not wise in thine own eyes: Fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, And marrow to thy bones. – Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭

Honour the LORD with the Firstfruits of All Thine Increase
Honour the LORD with thy substance, And with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, And thy presses shall burst out with new wine. – Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭

Despise Not the Chastening of the LORD
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; Neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. – Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭

Happy is the Man that Findeth Wisdom and Getteth Understanding
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, And the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, And the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: And all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; And in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: And happy is every one that retaineth her. – Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬-‭18‬

By Wisdom the LORD Founded the Earth; By Understanding He Established the Heavens
The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; By understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, And the clouds drop down the dew. My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: Keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, And grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, And thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: Yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. – Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭19‬-‭24‬ ‭

Be Not Afraid
Be not afraid of sudden fear, Neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, And shall keep thy foot from being taken. – Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭

Withhold Not Good from Them to Whom It is Due
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, When it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, And to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. Devise not evil against thy neighbour, Seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. Strive not with a man without cause, If he have done thee no harm. – Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭27‬-‭30‬ ‭

Envy Not the Oppressor and Choose None of His Ways
Envy thou not the oppressor, And choose none of his ways. For the froward is abomination to the LORD: But his secret is with the righteous. The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: But he blesseth the habitation of the just. Surely he scorneth the scorners: But he giveth grace unto the lowly. – Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭31‬-‭34‬ ‭

The Wise Shall Inherit Glory
The wise shall inherit glory: But shame shall be the promotion of fools. – Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭35‬ ‭

Day 184 – A Year in the Bible – Psalms 146-150

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PSALM 146 – THE LORD RELIEVETH THE FATHERLESS AND WIDOW

Happy is He that Hath the God of Jacob for His Help
Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, In whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; In that very day his thoughts perish. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God.
Psalm 146:3-5

The Way of the Wicked He Turneth Upside Down
The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
Psalm 146:9

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PSALMS 147 – FEAR HIM AND HOPE IN HIS MERCY

His Understanding is Infinite
Great is our LORD, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. Psalm 147:5

The LORD Taketh Pleasure in Them that Fear Him
The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, In those that hope in his mercy.
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭147‬:‭11

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PSALM 148 – PRAISE YE HIM

Praise Ye the LORD
Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
Psalm 148:1-5

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PSALM 149 – THE LORD TAKETH PLEASURE IN HIS PEOPLE

Praises in Their Mouth, and a Sword in Their Hand
Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;
Psalm 149:1-6

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PSALM 150 – PRAISE YE THE LORD

Praise God in His Sanctuary
Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. – Psalm 150:1-6

Day 183 – A Year in the Bible – Psalm 141-145

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PSALM 141 – LET MY PRAYER BE SET FORTH BEFORE THEE AS INCENSE

Give Ear Unto My Voice When I Cry Unto Thee
LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; Give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; And the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. – Psalm 141:1-2

Keep the Door of My Lips
Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; Keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, To practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: And let me not eat of their dainties. Let the righteous smite me; It shall be a kindness: And let him reprove me; It shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: For yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities. – Psalm 141:3-5

Mine Eyes are Unto Thee
But mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: In thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute. Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape. – Psalm‬ ‭141‬:‭8‬-‭10‬

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PSALM 142 – THOU KNEWEST MY PATH

Brings My Soul Out of Prison that I May Praise Thy Name
I cried unto the LORD with my voice; With my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. I looked on my right hand, And beheld, but there was no man that would know me: Refuge failed me; No man cared for my soul. I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry; For I am brought very low: Deliver me from my persecutors; For they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise thy name: The righteous shall compass me about; For thou shalt deal bountifully with me. – Psalm‬ ‭142‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭

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PSALM 143 – I MUSE ON THE WORK OF THY HANDS

In Thy Faithful Answer Me, and In Thy Righteousness
Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: In thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. And enter not into judgment with thy servant: For in thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; He hath smitten my life down to the ground; He hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is desolate. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto thee: My soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. – Psalm 143:1-6

Cause Me to Hear Thy Lovingkindness in the Morning
Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: Hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; For in thee do I trust: Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; For I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: Thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name’s sake: For thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble. And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, And destroy all them that afflict my soul: For I am thy servant. – Psalm‬ ‭143‬:‭7‬-‭12‬ ‭

The phrase “Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning” reminded me of strawberry fields. The summer before I entered high school, my siblings, along with many other kids, picking strawberries in the strawberry fields in Washington State. Every morning before daybreak, a bus came by our house to pick us up and returned us in the afternoon. It was hard work bending over and filling those flats full of strawberries. After the kids and migrants had picked all the strawberries, we moved on to the raspberry fields. 

I was thirteen years old, and other than babysitting, it was my first job. I made $242.00 that year picking fruit and spent every cent on new clothes for school. Even today, I can remember the outfits I bought, and I can remember the clothes they replaced. I remember it so well because I had been wearing my brother’s hand-me-downs. I came away with a great appreciation for how much clothes cost and the pride that comes from working hard for something.

But I also came away with a greater appreciation for those who work in such an environment as strawberry fields. And especially the migrant workers that arrived each year and worked in the adjacent fields. They worked much longer hours and were housed together in meager temporary shelters while all of us children returned to more comfortable homes.

After that summer, I despised the smell and taste of strawberries. But then, one day, about 30 years later – I suddenly wanted a strawberrys again. 

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PSALM 144 – MY STRENGTH, MY GOODNESS, MY FORTRESS, MY HIGH TOWER, MY DELIVERER, MY SHIELD, HE IN WHOM I TRUST

What is Man that Thou Takest Knowledge of Him?
Blessed be the LORD my strength, Which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; My high tower, and my deliverer; My shield, and he in whom I trust; Who subdueth my people under me. LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! Or the son of man, that thou makest account of him! Man is like to vanity: His days are as a shadow that passeth away. – Psalm 144:1-4

I Will Sing a New Song Unto Thee, O God
I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: Upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee. It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: Who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword. Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; That our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: That our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets: That our oxen may be strong to labour; That there be no breaking in, nor going out; That there be no complaining in our streets. Happy is that people, that is in such a case: Yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. – Psalm‬ ‭144‬:‭9‬-‭15‬ ‭

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PSALM 145 – MY MOUTH SHALL SPEAK THE PRAISE OF THE LORD

Let All Flesh Bless His Holy Name For Ever and Ever
I will extol thee, my God, O King; And I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
Every day will I bless thee; And I will praise thy name for ever and ever.
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And his greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall praise thy works to another, And shall declare thy mighty acts.
I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, And of thy wondrous works.
And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: And I will declare thy greatness.
They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, And shall sing of thy righteousness.
The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; Slow to anger, and of great mercy.
The LORD is good to all: And his tender mercies are over all his works.
All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; And thy saints shall bless thee.
They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, And talk of thy power;
To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, And the glorious majesty of his kingdom.
Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
The LORD upholdeth all that fall, And raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
The eyes of all wait upon thee; And thou givest them their meat in due season.
Thou openest thine hand, And satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all his ways, And holy in all his works.
The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, To all that call upon him in truth.
He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them.
The LORD preserveth all them that love him: But all the wicked will he destroy.
My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: And let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever. – Psalm‬ ‭145‬:‭1‬-‭21‬ ‭

Day 182 – A Year in the Bible – Psalm 136-140

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PSALM 136 – GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD

For His Mercy Endureth Forever
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks unto the God of gods: For his mercy endureth for ever.
O give thanks to the Lord of Lords: For his mercy endureth for ever.
To him who alone doeth great wonders: For his mercy endureth for ever.
To him that by wisdom made the heavens: For his mercy endureth for ever.
To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: For his mercy endureth for ever.
To him that made great lights: For his mercy endureth for ever:
The sun to rule by day: For his mercy endureth for ever:
The moon and stars to rule by night: For his mercy endureth for ever. – Psalm‬ ‭136‬:‭2‬-‭9‬ ‭

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PSALM 137 – BY THE RIVERS OF BABYLON WE SAT AND WEPT

Singing the Lord’s Song in a Strange Land
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a strange land? – Psalm 137:1-4

In Jeremiah 29:11-14, the prophet Jeremiah addressed a group of exiled Israelites tempted to lose hope. They understood they were defeated by the Babylonians and exiled from their homeland because of their sin. But, what were they supposed to do now? How should they live in this foreign land? As they contemplated where they came from and where they were now, they sat down and wept by the rivers of Babylon, and they asked, 

How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land? – Psalm 137:1-4

The Israelites forgot that even though they were exiled from their land, God was still right there with them; they were still His chosen people. God still wanted them to seek Him, know Him, worship Him, and love Him (even in Babylon).

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord. – Jeremiah 29:13-14a

When we are overwhelmed with a sense that we have lost our direction and our circumstance makes us feel like there is no hope, we must remember that our priority as God’s people is still to search for Him with all of our heart and seek to know Him more intimately. And never, ever forget – our Hope is not a feeling, it is a person, and His name is JESUS! Searching, Seeking, and finding Him and holding on to true HOPE – that is how you will continue to sing the Lord’s song in both familiar and strange lands.

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PSALM 138 – WHEN I CRIED THOU ANSWEREDST ME

Thou Strengthenedst Me With Strength in My Soul
I will praise thee with my whole heart: Before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, And strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. – Psalm‬ ‭138‬:‭1‬-‭3‬

Thou Wilt Revive Me; Save Me; Perfect that Which Concerneth Me
Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. – Psalm 138:6-8
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PSALM 139 – THY RIGHT HAND SHALL HOLD ME

Whither Shall I Go From Thy Spirit?
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. – Psalms 139:7-12

Once you figure out that there is no where you can go that God isn’t there, you can stop wasting your prayer time begging God to show up and praise Him and thank Him because He always has…and always will. 

Thank YOU, Father!!! Thank YOU, Jesus!!! Thank YOU, Holy Ghost!!!

Search Me, O God!
Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. – Psalm‬ ‭139‬:‭23‬-‭24

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PSALM 140 – THE LORD WILL MAINTAIN THE CAUSE OF THE AFFLICTED

Let Not an Evil Speaker Be Established
Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him. – Psalm 140:11

The Upright Shall Dwell in Thy Presence
I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor. Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence. – Psalm 140:12

Day 181 – A Year in the Bible – Psalm 131-135

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PSALM 131 – MY SOUL IS AS A WEANED CHILD

My Heart is Not Haughty, Nor Mine Eyes Lofty
LORD, my heart is not haughty, Nor mine eyes lofty: Neither do I exercise myself in Great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, As a child that is weaned of his mother: My soul is even as a weaned child. Let Israel hope in the LORD From henceforth and for ever. – Psalm‬ ‭131‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭

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PSALM 132 – THE LORD HATH CHOSEN ZION

I Have Ordained a Lamp for Mine Anointed
For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish. – Psalm 132:13-18

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PSALM 133 – HOW GOOD AND PLEASANT IT IS FOR BRETHREN TO DWELL IN UNITY

Like the Precious Ointment Upon the Head
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. – Psalm 133:1-3

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PSALM 134 – BLESS YE THE LORD

Left Up Your Hands in the Sanctuary and Bless the LORD
Behold, bless ye the LORD, All ye servants of the LORD, Which by night stand in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, And bless the LORD. The LORD that made heaven and earth Bless thee out of Zion. – Psalm‬ ‭134‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭

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PSALM 135 – PRAISE YE THE LORD

Sing Praises Unto His Name
Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; Praise him, O ye servants of the LORD. Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, In the courts of the house of our God, Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: Sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant. For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, And Israel for his peculiar treasure. – Psalm‬ ‭135‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭

For I Know the LORD is Great
For I know that the LORD is great, And that our Lord is above all gods. Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, In the seas, and all deep places. He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; He maketh lightnings for the rain; He bringeth the wind out of his treasuries. Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, Both of man and beast. Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, Upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants. Who smote great nations, And slew mighty kings; Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, And all the kingdoms of Canaan: And gave their land for an heritage, An heritage unto Israel his people. – Psalm‬ ‭135‬:‭5‬-‭12‬ ‭

For the LORD Will Judge His People
Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; And thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations. For the LORD will judge his people, And he will repent himself concerning his servants. The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not; Eyes have they, but they see not; They have ears, but they hear not; Neither is there any breath in their mouths. They that make them are like unto them: So is every one that trusteth in them. – Psalm‬ ‭135‬:‭13‬-‭18‬ ‭

Ye that Fear the LORD, Bless the LORD
Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: Bless the LORD, O house of Aaron: Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: Ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD. Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, Which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD. – Psalm‬ ‭135‬:‭19‬-‭21‬ ‭

Day 180 – A Year in the Bible – Psalms 126-130

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PSALM 126 – BRINGING HIS SHEAVES

The Lord Hath Done Great Things
The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. – Psalm 126:3

Bearing Precious Seed
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. – Psalm 126:6

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PSALM 127 – EXCEPT THE LORD KEEP THE CITY

Except the Lord Build the House
Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. – Psalm 127:1

If God is not included in whatever we do, what we do is pointless. But with God in our lives as the foundation and focus, nothing we do is a waste of time.

Rising Up Early, Sitting Up Late is Vain
It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: For so he giveth his beloved sleep. – Psalm‬ ‭127‬:‭2‬ ‭

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PSALM 128 – THOU SHALT EAT THE LABOUR OF THINE HANDS

Blessed is Everyone that Feareth the Lord
Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. – Psalm 128:1-2

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PSALM 129 – HE HATH CUT ASUNDER THE CORDS OF THE WICKED

Let Them All Be Confounded and Turned Back that Hate Zion
The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked. Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion. – Psalm 129:4-5

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PSALM 130 – MY SOUL WAITETH FOR THE LORD

There is Forgiveness with Thee, that Thou Mayest Be Feared
Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice: Let thine ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications. If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, That thou mayest be feared. – Psalm‬ ‭130‬:‭1‬-‭4‬

My Soul Doth Wait, and in His Word Do I Hope
I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. – Psalms 130:5-6